Neonatal circumcision: associated factors and length of hospital stay.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Controversy exists regarding the efficacy of routine neonatal circumcision of male infants. Little is known about parental or provider characteristics or the use of medical resources associated with this procedure. METHODS: Records of 3703 male infants born during 1990 and 1991 at four US sites were analyzed to discern associations between circumcision and the above factors. Analyses were limited to healthy infants. RESULTS: Eighty-five percent of the infants in the study population were circumcised. White and African-American male infants were much more likely to be circumcised than those of other races (odds ratios [ORs], 7.3 and 7.1, respectively, P < .001). Compared with self-pay patients, those covered by private insurance were 2.5 times more likely to be circumcised (P < .001). Logistic regression showed that rates for obstetricians and family physicians were not significantly different. Increased odds of circumcision were found if the mother received an episiotomy (OR = 1.9, P < .001) or cesarean section (OR = 2.1, P < .001). Circumcised infants stayed in the hospital an average of one fourth of a day longer than did those who were not circumcised (mean difference, 0.26 days; 95% confidence interval, 0.16 to 0.36). CONCLUSIONS: Mother's insurance status and race as well as surgical interventions during delivery are related to circumcision. Associations with episiotomy and cesarean section suggest physician and/or parental preference for interventional approaches to health care. Generalizing the difference in hospital length of stay to the United States suggests an annual cost between $234 million and $527 million beyond charges for the procedure itself.